Multiple Sclerosis and Infection
Could Multiple Sclerosis be caused by infection? These studies and articles offer compelling evidence. Contact Us for more information.
1. Commensal microbiota and myelin autoantigen cooperate to trigger autoimmune demyelination.
Nature. 2011; 479(7374): 538-41. DOI: 10.1038/nature10554.
This study shows that microbes that live in the body (in particular the GI tract) are an essential factor in triggering the autoimmune response in MS and other diseases.
“Active multiple sclerosis lesions show inflammatory changes suggestive of a combined attack by autoreactive T and B lymphocytes against brain white matter. … The stimuli triggering this autoimmune conversion have been commonly attributed to environmental factors, in particular microbial infection. … We show that the commensal gut flora… is essential in triggering immune processes, leading to a relapsing-remitting autoimmune disease…“
2. Role of pathogens in multiple sclerosis.
International Reviews of Immunology. 2014; 33(4): 266-83. DOI: 10.3109/08830185.2013.823422.
This study states that “infectious pathogens (disease causing microbes) are the likely environmental factors involved in the development of MS.” It also identifies various microbes that are involved in the development of Multiple Sclerosis infection, which include various bacteria, parasites and viruses.
“Although the etiology of MS is unknown, genetic and environmental factors play a role. Infectious pathogens are the likely environmental factors involved in the development ofMultiple Sclerosis infection. Pathogens associated with the development or exacerbation of MS include bacteria, such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae, the Staphylococcus aureus-produced enterotoxins that function as superantigens, viruses of the herpes virus (Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus 6) and human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) families and the protozoa Acanthamoeba castellanii. Evidence, from studies with humans and animal models, supporting the association of these various pathogens with the development and/or exacerbation of MS will be discussed along with the potential mechanisms including molecular mimicry, epitope spreading and bystander activation. In contrast, infection with certain parasites such as helminthes (Schistosoma mansoni, Fasciola hepatica, Hymenolepis nana, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercolaris, Enterobius vermicularis) appears to protect against the development or exacerbation of MS… A complex interaction between the CNS (including the blood-brain barrier), multiple infections with various infectious agents (occurring in the periphery or within the CNS), and the immune response to those various infections may have to be deciphered before the etiology of MS can be fully understood.”
(See link for article)
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MS is another label that needs a better definition. Since so many things can cause/exacerbate it, it’s a highly individual issue that needs to be approached as such. There is no four-cornered box with this beast and you must be willing to go down many rabbit-holes to find answers. This is a journey, not a destination. There may be many issues that must be addressed in order to achieve health – just like with Lyme/MSIDS.
Written
on December 25, 2022